Report: State Substance Abuse Prevention Fragmented

Laramie, Wy – The Wyoming Department of Health hasfailed to develop and implement a comprehensive plan of how to control substance abuse despite receiving a 25-million dollar legislative appropriation for the task in 2002 and additional funding since then, according to a legislative report released Friday. The report, prepared by the Legislative Service Office, statessubstance abuse treatment efforts in the state continue to be fragmented. It says a comprehensive plan has not been identified and state agencies don't share data. Governor Dave Freudenthal issued a statement on Friday saying he looks forward to solving the problem. The governor said the report highlights the mishmash of legislative and executive actions that have created a patchwork of efforts with regard to mental health and substance abuse. He said he believes the legislative and executive branches can work with the health department to resolve the problem.